Mississippi: The Least Expensive State in the U.S.
Mississippi
With the overall cost of living on a steady inclined, there are many states that are becoming increasingly expensive to live in. However, there are still some that provide a haven from the cruelty of the financial-driven world.
Mississippi is one of those states, in fact, across the board, it is the cheapest state in the country to live in. But affordable living comes with a price of its own.
![](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.factinate.com%2Fstorage%2Fapp%2Fmedia%2Fmoneymade%2F2024%2F2%2F12%2FMississippi%2520Cost%2520of%2520Living%2520Split%2520Gallery.jpg&w=800)
Population
First off, Mississippi is home to over 2.95 million people, as of 2022. Jackson, being the capital city of the state, has the most population.
![Jackson Skyline, Mississippi - 2012](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.factinate.com%2Fstorage%2Fapp%2Fmedia%2Fmoneymade%2F2024%2F2%2F15%2F14418855053_250d0e15ed_k.jpg&w=800)
Cost of Living
Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the United States. With a cost-of-living index of 83.3, expenses are nearly 17% less than the national average.
![Street in Jackson, Mississippi - 2009](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.factinate.com%2Fstorage%2Fapp%2Fmedia%2Fmoneymade%2F2024%2F2%2F15%2F3932730600_4b6f2019ba_k.jpg&w=800)
Cost of Living: Defined
The Cost-of-living index measures the average cost of living in the U.S. as a baseline of 100—over 100 means a high COL and under 100 means less than the national average.
![Man with documents](https://wsrv.nl/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.factinate.com%2Fstorage%2Fapp%2Fmedia%2Ffactinate%2F2023%2F05%2Fpexels-kampus-production-8439703.jpg&w=800)
Housing Costs: Ownership
Mississippi's housing costs are the lowest in the nation. Home prices range from $32,000 to $240,000 depending on the city, with an average of $162,292.
Housing costs vary based on neighborhoods, personal credit scores and current interest rates.